A distinctive character of Encyclia inopinata is the yellow lip patterned with crimson to reddish brown lines. Photo: Dr Carlos L. Leopardi-Verde
A melodious song led scientists to a new bird species – the Himalayan forest thrush (Zoothera salimalii). Named in honour of the great Indian ornithologist Dr Salim Ali, the bird is found in north-eastern India and adjacent parts of China.
The species was previously thought to be the plain-backed thrush. What caught the attention of scientists was that the thrush seen in coniferous and mixed forests have a melodious call, while those found on rocky ground above the tree-line in the same area have a raspier, less musical song. Studies of museum specimens in several countries also revealed consistent differences in plumage and structure between the birds, which led the scientists to deem them as two different species.
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